Remotely Activated Fluid Control System

Abstract

The remotely activated fluid control system prevents damage from leaking fluids (such as water or gas) escaping from damaged pipes by providing a user-activated controlling device that allows the user to activate a remote inline first shut-off valve in the main fluid supply line, such as when leaving the building. An integrated shut-off delay function delays the fluid shut off a preset amount of time to accommodate a currently running appliance, such as a dishwasher that needs to draw water to finish its cycle. An optional function is provided that allows a residual fluid flow to accommodate appliances that use a minimal flow to maintain normal operation. Optionally, a display control panel is provided to display system data from a flow measuring device and water temperature sensors. Optionally, a single engagement of the user-activated controlling device may restrict the fluid flow in one or multiple flow interface systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid control system, comprising:
 a flow interface system comprising a first shut-off valve, wherein said flow interface system is configured to receive a system-on signal and a system-off signal, and configured to selectively control the flow of a first fluid in a first fluid supply line in response to the receipt of one of said system-on signal and said system-off signal by causing said first shut-off valve to restrict fluid flow in response to the receipt of said system-on signal and by causing said first shut-off valve to allow fluid flow in response to said system-off signal; and   a user-activated controlling device comprising a plurality of user-input buttons and configured for communication with said flow interface system; and wherein said plurality of user-input buttons comprise a system-on control and a system-off control; and wherein the manual engagement of said system-on control triggers the sending of said system-on signal to said flow interface system; and wherein the manual engagement of said system-off control triggers the sending of said system-off signal to said flow interface system.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said user-activated controlling device is electrically connected to said flow interface; and   said user-activated controlling device consists of one of a fluid control panel, a home security system control panel, and a fluid control panel in wireless communication with a key fob-type controlling device.   
     
     
         3 . The fluid control system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said flow interface system further comprises a second shut-off valve configured to selectively control the flow of a second fluid in a second fluid supply line in response to the receipt of one of said system-on signal and said system-off signal by causing said second shut-off valve to restrict fluid flow in response to the receipt of said system-on signal and by causing said second shut-off valve to allow fluid flow in response to said system-off signal. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said flow interface system further comprises a receiver operable for wirelessly receiving said system-on signal and said system-off signal;   said user-activated controlling device further comprises a transmitter operable for wirelessly sending said system-on signal and said system-off signal; and   said user-activated controlling device consists of one of a fluid control panel, a key fob-type controlling device, a home security system control panel, and a fluid control panel in wireless communication with a key fob-type controlling device.   
     
     
         5 . The fluid control system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said flow interface system further comprises a second shut-off valve configured to selectively control the flow of a second fluid in a second fluid supply line in response to the receipt of one of said system-on signal and said system-off signal by causing said second shut-off valve to restrict fluid flow in response to the receipt of said system-on signal and by causing said second shut-off valve to allow fluid flow in response to said system-off signal. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first fluid is water. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first fluid is gas. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first fluid is a fluid other than gas or water. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said plurality of user-input buttons further comprises a delay button configured to be manually engaged; and   said user-activated controlling device is configured to, upon engagement of said delay button, transmit the system-on signal after a pre-set length of delay time.   
     
     
         10 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the restriction of the flow of said first fluid by said first shut-off valve, in response to said system-on signal, consists of one of a restriction to no fluid flow and a restriction to a very low, preset residual flow rate. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the restriction of the flow of said first fluid by said first shut-off valve, in response to said system-on signal, consists of one of a restriction to no fluid flow and a restriction to a very low, preset residual flow rate. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 11 , wherein:
 said flow interface system is further configured to obtain and provide fluid system data; and   said user-activated controlling device further comprises a control panel comprising at least one display screen, wherein said plurality of user-input buttons are disposed on said control panel; and wherein said control panel is operable to receive said fluid system data; wherein said control panel is operable to calculate a fluid usage amount based on said fluid system data; and wherein said at least one display screen is operable to display said fluid usage amount.   
     
     
         13 . The fluid control system, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said flow interface system is further configured to obtain and provide fluid system data; and   said user-activated controlling device further comprises a control panel comprising at least one display screen, wherein said plurality of user-input buttons are disposed on said control panel; wherein said control panel is operable to receive said fluid system data; wherein said control panel is operable to calculate a fluid usage amount based on said fluid system data; and wherein said at least one display screen is operable to display said fluid usage amount.   
     
     
         14 . The fluid control system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said at least one display screen comprises multiple display screens. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid control system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein:
 said fluid system data comprise fluid usage data;   said flow interface system comprises a metering device;   said metering device is operable to measure fluid flow to derive said fluid usage data; and   said flow interface system is operable to transmit said fluid usage data to said control panel.   
     
     
         16 . The fluid control system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein:
 said control panel further comprises at least one preselected time fluid usage display;   said plurality of user-input buttons comprises a manually engageable preselected time fluid usage button;   said control panel is operable to calculate a fluid usage total for a preselected length of time based on said fluid system data; and   said preselected time fluid usage display comprises a fluid usage total for said preselected length of time.   
     
     
         17 . The fluid control system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein:
 said control panel further comprises a current usage display;   said plurality of user-input buttons comprises a manually engageable current usage button; and   said control system is operable, upon manual engagement of said current usage button, to initialize the current usage display at zero, to calculate the current fluid flow amount from the time of engagement of said current usage button based on said fluid system data, and to increment said current usage display with the said current fluid flow amount.   
     
     
         18 . The fluid control system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein:
 said fluid system data further comprise hot water temperature data;   said flow interface system further comprises a hot water temperature sensor operable to sense the temperature of water and to provide hot water temperature data; and   said at least one display screen is operable to display said hot water temperature data on said at least one display screen.   
     
     
         19 . The fluid control system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said first shut-off valve and said metering device are formed as an integral unit. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid control system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said control panel is further configured to operate a home security system. 
     
     
         21 . A plumbing control system, comprising:
 a control panel configured with at least one display screen, a manually engageable system-on control, a manually engageable home system-off control, and a manually engageable delay button; wherein said control panel is operable to wirelessly transmit a system-on signal based on the engagement of said system-on control; wherein said control panel is operable to wirelessly transmit a system-off signal based on the engagement of said home system-off control; wherein said control panel is operable to increment a system delay based on the manual engagement of said delay button; and wherein said control panel is configured to retard the sending of said system-on signal an amount of time equal to said system delay; and wherein said control panel is operable to receive metered water usage data;   a shut-off valve operable to control the water flow within a water supply line;   an actuator comprising a receiver operable for wirelessly receiving a system-on signal and for wirelessly receiving a system-off signal; wherein, in response to receipt of said system-on signal, said actuator is configured to cause the shut-off valve to restrict the flow of water to a very low, preset residual flow rate; and wherein, in response to receipt of said system-off signal, said actuator is configured to cause the shut-off valve to allow the flow of water;   a flow metering device operable to measure the flow in said water supply line to obtain said metered water usage data; and   a transmitter operable to wirelessly transmit said metered water usage data from said flow metering device to said control panel; wherein said control panel is operable to calculate a daily water usage total, a monthly water usage total, and a current water usage total based on said metered water usage data; and wherein said at least one display screen is operable to display said daily water usage total, said monthly water usage total, and said current water usage total.   
     
     
         22 . A plumbing control system, comprising:
 a control panel configured with at least one display screen, a manually engageable system-on control, a manually engageable home system-off control, and a manually engageable delay button; wherein said control panel is operable to transmit a system-on signal based on the engagement of said system-on control; wherein said control panel is operable to transmit a system-off signal based on the engagement of said home system-off control; wherein said control panel is operable to increment a system delay based on the manual engagement of said delay button; wherein said control panel is configured to retard the sending of said system-on signal an amount of time equal to said system delay; and wherein said control panel is operable to receive metered water usage data;   a shut-off valve operable to control the water flow within a water supply line;   a flow metering device operable to measure the flow in said water supply line to obtain said metered water usage data; and   an actuator electrically connected to said control panel and configured to receive a system-on signal and a system-off signal; wherein, in response to receipt of said system-on signal, said actuator is configured to cause the shut-off valve to restrict the flow of water to a very low, preset residual flow rate; wherein, in response to receipt of said system-off signal, said actuator is configured to cause the shut-off valve to allow the flow of water; and wherein said at least one display screen is operable to display said daily water usage total, said monthly water usage total, and said current water usage total.